Rob Lovett (rob_lovett@hotmail.com)
Tue, 01 Aug 2000 10:37:58 BST
This is something that has caught my interest, here is something that was
posted on another mail list thingy, that I think is rather relevant.
I believe that good Self-protection begins with good awareness and a
lot of common sense! Ralph's great posts on the western-arts list got me
looking through my old files again and I came up with this little gem.
" In the environs of our big cities there is always a chance of attack by
some fellow who asks the time, wants a match to light his cigar, or asks the
way to some place. When accosted never stop, never draw out watch or box of
lights, and never know the way anywhere. Always make a good guess at the
time, and swear you have no matches about you. It is wonderful to notice
kind-hearted ladies stopping to give to stalwart beggars who are only
waiting for an opportunity to snatch purses, and it would be interesting to
know how many annually lose their purses and watches through this mistaken
method of distributing largess.
Let me conclude by saying that, if you want to be as safe as possible in a
doubtful neighborhood, your best friends are a quick ear, a quick eye, a
quick step, and a predilection for the middle of the road. The two former
help you to detect, as the two latter may enable you to avoid a sudden
onslaught."
That was from the book, "Broadsword and Singlestick - with chapters on
Quarter-staff, Bayonet, Cudgel, Shillalah, Walking stick, Umbrella and other
weapons of Self defence." The authors were R.G Allanson-Winn and C.
Phillipps-Wolley and it was published in 1898. Over a hundred years old it
just go's to show that some advice is timeless.
This was posted by a guy called Phil Matthews.
Roger said:
>
>Well, let's hope the muggers, etc., are using medieval fighting techniques,
>and you'll be safe(r). If they have something a bit more modern that goes
>"bang" pointed at you, you might be out of luck, even though they've been
>made illegal, too... lot of good that did, eh?
>
Although the point about the gun is well taken, don't be too quick to damn
medieval techniques, if you look at the grappling techniques of Liberi,
Talhoffer, Morrazzo they crop up again and again and again. They are
excellent techniques that can be easily applied to modern self defense.
If anyone is interested in this why not have a look at the Alliance Martial
Arts site - http://alliancemartialarts.com
Regards
Rob
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